The Cultural Life of our

Filipino fore fathers

PREPARED BY; GROUP5
The First Group of Malays who landed in
the Philippines. Had their own culture, They
led quiet and orderly lives, and had their
own system knowledge. These natives built
small communities by the rivers, seashores
and inland waters, and were easily to adapt
their life to the new environment.
 l. Political Order

A. The Barangay Roles as a Tribal Chief

1. He stood as a defender of a weak and
Barangay, a term of Malay
innocent.
origin which means “banca” or
2. He Solicited the advice of the Council
“boat”. Historically, Balangay
of Elders.
boats were once used by the
native migrants, who sailed
from their homeland and reach
Philippine soil. In the beginning, the position of datu was
inherited by the eldest son or daughter
Roles as a Datu or Rajah
Eventually, it went to anyone with the
1.Law Enforcer
2 Land Administrator following qualities
3.Chief Warrior in times of war with the 1.Wealth
neighboring barangays. 2.Intelligence
4.Stood as a Judge 3.Love for the country or kabayanihan
 B. Laws
Our ancient laws were products of our
customs that had been handed down
from generation to genteration
These laws were strictly implemented,
There were also written laws like the
Code of Kalintiaw and Maragtas.
Many, however, believed that these
laws are not authentic.
 C. Social Order
The family was the smallest unit of society. Each member
had an important role to play. The father stood as “Head of
the family”, The Mother took “Care of the household”, the
son accompanied his father in hunting or farming; and the
daughter stayed home to learn the household chores.

Society divided into Composed the third class

three classes and divide into two:
Maharlika A Aliping Namamalay- servants to a
datu and timawas and had the right
Which composed of the to own property
1. Datu and his family B. Aliping Saguiguilid- enjoyed no
2.Timawa or freemen rights and freedom, were
3.Alipin or Slaves considered properties of their
master.
 D. Religion

Our Early ancestors had their own beliefs regarding home, the
world in general, and life after death

The different Gods

1. Bathala- ruler of heaven and earth.
2. Anito or Spirits of departed ancestors-
considered as their redeemers and mediators
Priest or babaylan in Visayas- presided over rituals
and ceremonies.
 E. Modes of Dressing
The Early Filipinos had their own style in dressing. They also used
ornaments to enhance their physical appearance. Clothes are made of Cotton,
Silk and Plant fibers.

Kangan- Collarless and Short-sleeved jacket worned by the men.

Bahag- a cloth wrapped around the waist and between legs.

Putong- a piece of cloth around the head.

Both Man and Woman often wear Bracelet, rings, and Necklaces
A tattoo was another popular body ornament, it symbolizes beauty or
bravery. For a man, the tattoo served as a war record of number of
man he killed in a fair fight.
 F. Housing
Our ancestors lived in permanent homes
almost similar to kubo or hut. They were
Made Up of bamboo, wood, and palm leaves.
A house often had basements or cellars where
animals were kept, Ladders in every home
were also made of bamboo.
 Customs
A. Courtship and Marriage
Marriage was an aspect of life regarded seriously by our
ancestors. The choice of a partner was based on the best wishes
of the parents. A man must give a dowry to the girl’s family before
he may ask for her hand in marriage. He must also serve in the
house of the girl he wishes to marry.
The Marriage ceremony was simple one. The Babaylan performed
the ceremony which was witnessed by the relatives of the bride
and groom. Celebrations after the wedding were also a common
practice.

B. Burial
The Dead often underwent careful preparation. They were buried in
riverbanks or seashores, and sometimes in caves. When a datu
 Filipino Culture

A. Arts and Music- Our Filipino Ancestors were music

lovers.
B.Writings- Our Ancesots had their own system in
writing.

C.Literature- Ancient Literature has two kinds

1. Oral Literature
2. Written Literature

D. Livelihood - Farming was the primary source of livelihood

of the early Filipinos.
 3 Different Early Relations with other
Asian Countries
A . Early Filipino - Arab Relations
-The Arabs were very first Asians to arrive in the Philippines. Those who came were
composed of adventures, traders, scholars, and Artisans. They have contributed a lot our
Political, economical, and Social life. Islam is the most important.
B. Early Filipino-Chinese Relations
-The Philippines has a long history of trade relations with Chinese. Products that originated
from the Philippines could be seen in different parts of China in 10CE. In exchanged for our
corals, wood, rattan, and pearls, silk, beautiful jars, and porcelain pieces.
C. Early Filipino-Indian Relations
The Philippines and India did not have direct trade relations. Through Malaysia. And Hindu
Civilization greatly influenced our culture in many ways.
 The Spaniards introduced Christianity (the Roman Catholic
faith) and succeeded in converting the overwhelming
majority of Filipinos. At least 83% of the total population
belongs to the Roman Catholic faith.

CLIMATE RELIGIONS

GENERAL INFORMATION UNIT OF MEASURE

12

POPULATION ELECTICITY

LANGUAGES CURRENCY
 CLIMATE
March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy,
November to February is cool. Average temperatures:
78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77%.

GENERAL INFORMATION 13
The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a
land area of 115,739 sq. m. (299,764 sq. km.). Main
island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

POPULATION
There are approximately 88.7 million Filipinos as 2007.
Population growth is estimated at 2.36 percent
annually. Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for
more than half of the entire population.
 LANGUAGES
There are two official languages --- Filipino and English.
Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the national language.
English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in
higher education.

RELIGIONS
Some 83% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 5% are Moslem. The rest 14
are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.

UNIT OF MEASURE
The Metric System is used in most trade and legal transactions.
 ELECTICITY
220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts
a/c is available in major hotels.

15

CURRENCY
The Philippines' monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos.
Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large
department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops
accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit
cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and
American Express are accepted in major establishments.
 11 Things You Should
Know About Filipino
Culture

What is it about the Philippines that makes it different from

the rest of the world? Well, for one thing, it is all about
their culture. Here are 11 things you should know about
Filipino culture that sets them apart from any other
nation on the planet.

16
 Filipinos are very resilient

17

In times of calamities and catastrophes, Filipinos always

manage to rise above the challenge. Instead of wallowing,
they manage to pick themselves up and smile.
What is the importance of
RESILIENCE?
 Filipinos take pride in their families

19

In the Philippines, it is family first. So whether you are part of the

immediate family or you belong to the third or fourth generation, you are
treated as a family member. Sometimes, even the closest of friends are
considered family, too.
 Filipinos are very religious
In all corners of a Filipino house, you can find brazen images of
crosses and other religious paraphernalia. They go to church every
Sunday, or sometimes even twice or three times a week.
How come Filipino people are
usually so religious?

In other words, how is it that the 21

Catholic faith is so important to

Filipino people I've met in
Canada?
 Filipinos are very respectful

22

From the moment they are born into this world, they are already taught how to be
respectful by using these simple catchphrases—po and opo, words that end sentences
when addressing elders. They have a culture of pagmamano, which is where they
raise the backs of the hands of their elders to their foreheads as a sign of respect.
How Filipino show
their respect?

23
Filipinos help one another

24

More popularly known as bayanihan, Filipinos help one

another—without expecting anything in return—so that
undertaking their tasks and responsibilities become much
easier. Sometimes this is called “community spirit.”
 Filipinos value traditions and culture
Forr Filipinos, traditions in their home and in their family are important.
They usually set aside a specific day for a certain celebration like
festivals, birthday parties, reunions, etc. And of course, every gathering
is dedicated to keeping up with each other over sumptuous food.

25
 Filipinos love to party
Yes, Filipinos love to hold celebrations and fiestas. Bacolod has its
MassKara Festival, Davao has its Kadayawan Festival, and
Marinduque has its Moriones Festival.
 Filipinos have the longest Christmas celebrations—ever
Even as early as August, you can hear Christmas songs and jingles being played in the malls
or in the restaurants in the Philippines. The mood becomes festive, with many people shopping
and in good spirits. Christmas celebrations last until around the first or second week of
January.
 Filipinos love to eat
Aside from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Filipinos manage to
squeeze in a little meal in between, too. Whether they eat
every hour or every three hours, they savour every bite. Oh,
and they do love going to buffets!
 Filipinos love to sing
This is the reason why karaoke has become so
prevalent. As part of their recreation, Filipinos
spend some quality time with their families or
friends singing or belting out new and old songs.

Filipinos love art and

architecture
Just look at the massive and tall buildings
everywhere. Filipinos have a penchant for
bringing art and architecture to a whole
new level. They love to design creatively, to
think intuitively, and have a passion for
anything different and unique.
 Filipino Customs
and Traditions
Mano Po
Our culture is a big reflection of our great and complex
history. It is influenced by most of the people we have
interacted with. A blend of the Malayo-Polynesian and
Hispanic culture with the influence from Chinese, Indians
Arabs, and other Asian cultures really contribute to the
customs and traditions of the Filipinos.
Next is that Filipinos are one of the most HOSPITABLE people
you may find anywhere. Foreign visitors in the country are treated
with the utmost respect. This trait is usually seen during fiestas
and holidays where many Filipinos are giving their best to
entertain their visitors well.

Having Close Family Ties is also one of their unique traits. It is one of
the outstanding cultural values that Filipinos have.
 BAYANIHAN
Have you ever experienced the bayanihan in our
country? It is the spirit of communal unity or effort to
achieve a particular objective.

Courtship
We Filipinos are very romantic when it comes to heart affairs. Serenading
or Harana in Tagalog is one of the most popular forms of courtship to
show that a man is very serious with his intentions to a woman.
Religion
The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia-
Pacific. Their habit of going to church and often praying reflects that Filipinos
have a deep faith and belief when it comes to religion.
Superstition
In the Philippines, superstitious beliefs have grown
throughout the country. These beliefs have come
from the different sayings and beliefs of our
ancestors that aim to prevent danger from
happening or to make a person refrain from doing
Cuisine
something in particular.
Every province has its own specialty and tastes vary in each
region. In Bicol, for example, foods are generally spicier than
elsewhere in the Philippines. Patis, suka, toyo, bagoong, and
banana catsup are the most common condiments found in
Filipino homes and restaurants.
Marriage and Wedding Customs

A sacred marriage
In the country, marriage is a sacred union
of man and women after a period of
courtship and engagement. It is a
sacrament between two people who
33
love each others. For many Filipinos,
the eternal quality of dedication to
God pervades a truly sacred
marriage.
Death
Death in the Philippines is one of the most important occasions in family life.
For many Filipinos, a death of relatives is an opportunity to strengthen ties in
the Family. To pay respect and honor the relationship to the deceased, long lost
relatives, friends, and even relatives working abroad are reunited.

Society
The primary ancestors of Filipinos are Malays who came from the southeastern 34
Asian country which is now called Indonesia. The Philippines is a combined
society, both singular and plural in form. It is singular as one nation, but plural
in that it is fragmented geographically and culturally.

Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas in the Philippines is considered as one of the biggest holidays in the archipelago. We earned
the distinction of celebrating the world’s longest Christmas season with Christmas carols heard as
early as September and lasting until Epiphany,
 Fiestas
Every town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its
own; whatever time of the year it is, there's sure to be a
fiesta going on somewhere.

Living with Parents

Filipinos highly value the presence of family more than 35
anything. Adult children living with their parents are another
Filipino traditional that make them exceptional.

Eating with a Fork and Spoon

One Filipinos identity is that they are eat using a fork and a
spoon. The fork is place in the left hand while the spoon is in
the right hand. Fork is used to place or push the food into the
spoon which is held by the right hand.
 Eating with Hands (Kamayan)
In addition to the use of the fork and spoon, eating with your
hands or kamayan is another common Filipino tradition. For many
Filipinos, kamayan gives full taste to the food instead of using
utensils. Gather a small portion of meat or fish and a bite-sized
portion of rice on your plate. Then use all your fingers to gather
the food into a small mountain or mound. Pick up the little mound
and put it in your mouth using your thumb to gently push the food
in.
36

Balikbayan Boxes
Some Filipinos leave the Philippines to live and work abroad. A
balikbayan box is a box of items sent by the balikbayan to their
family in the Philippines. The box can be sent or it can be brought by
the sender when they themselves return to the Philippines.
 Traditional Filipino Family Values that make us Distinct
among Others

Good morals and values start

at home and a uniform won’t 37
change that” - Jamie Sawyer
Majority of Philippine
population is bonded
together by common values
and traits that are first
taught at home and being
applied in our day to day
lives
 Here are some of the family values Filipinos have:

1. Pagpapahalaga sa Pamilya (Family-oriented)

Filipinos are known for having strong and close family ties. They place high regard and put 38
importance on their family before anything else. They work all day and do all they can to feed
and provide for their family.

2. Respect
One of the precious things Filipinos have is that they are respectful. Young, youth, people
in all ages know how to show respect and courtesy. Some ways to show them are the use of
“Po at Opo”, “Pagmamano” or putting the back of an elder’s hand on your forehead, and
calling our older siblings or elders Ate or Kuya.
 3. God-fearing
Though we, Filipinos, belong to different religious groups, we all have
God(Supreme being) in our center. Filipino families sometimes go to church
or pray together with their family.
 4. Pakikisama (Helping others)

Filipinos get along with different kinds of people. They

can easily adjust to any situation and are flexible. This
trait fosters cooperation, good and helpful deeds. When
their neighbors are in trouble, they will help them in
whatever they can. They also do not let their family
members go through hard times alone, instead, they help
each other.
5. Hospitality
One of the most popular qualities Filipinos have is that they are very
hospitable. When there are visitors at home, they will do a lot of
preparations for good entertainment and accommodation so that they will
feel at home and enjoy the stay. When there is an occasion at home, there are
a lot of food and you can expect to have take-outs (pabalot) after.

6. Utang na Loob (Debt of Gratitude)

This trait shows a sense of duty and responsibility. Filipinos
know how to repay other people. When someone helped us,
we return the favors with goodness.
 7. Love and Happiness
In a Filipino family, our parents usually
cook for us, that’s what one of the ways on
how they show their love. Also, through
good and bad times, Filipinos always find a
way to smile and be happy. Whatever the
problem is, we are always reminded that
our family’s always there to love and
support us no matter what.
 THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
Prepared 43

PARTICIPATIO
by: GROUP
NS 5